Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-17
CHAPTER xvI.-BEFoRE THE STATUE.

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CHAPTER XYI.-BEFORE THE STATUE.
1t was night-dead nj ,,ht-and the sill
ence lay on the browning City like a cloud.
Secretly, as eFildoers, Sir Henry Curtis,
Umslopogaas, and myself threaded our
way through the passages towards a by
entrance to the great Throne Chamber.
Once we were met by the fierce rafting
challenge of the sentry. | gave the coun-
tersign, and the man grounded his spear
and let us pass. Also we were officers of
the Queens body-guard, and in that ca
pacity had a rightto come and go unques-
toned
We gained the hall in safety. So empty
and so still was it, that even when we had
passed the sound of our footsteps yet
echoed up the lofty walls, vibrating family
and still more family against the carven
roof, like ghosts of the footsteps of dead
men haunting the place that once they
trod.
It was an eerie spot, and it oppressed me.
The moon was full, and threw great PEN
ellis and patches of light through the high,
windowless openings in the walls, that lay
pure and beautiful upon the blackness of
the marble floor, like white flowers on a
coffin. One Of these silver arrows fell upon
the statue of the sleeping Rademas, and Of
the angel form bent over him, illg.mining
it, and small circle round it, with a soft
clear light, reminding me of that with
which the Catholics illumine the affairs Of
their cathedrals.
Here by the statue we took our stand,
and waited. Sir Henry and close togeth-
er, Umslopogaas some PAGES off in the
darkness, SO that I could only just make
out his towering outline leaning on the
handle Of his AK
So long did we wait that / almost fell
asleep resting against the cold marble, but
was suddenly aroused by hearing Curtis
give quick, catching breath. Then from
far, far away there came little sound, as
though the statues that lined the walls
were whispering to each other some mes
sage of the ages. 1t was the faint sweep of
a lady's dress. Nearer it grew and nearer
yet. We could see figure steal from patch
to patch of moonlight, and even hear the
soft fall of sandaled feet. Another second
and [ saw the black silhouette of the old
Zulu raise it's arm in mute salute, and Ny
leptha was before us.
Oh, how beautiful she looked as she
paused moment just within the circle of
the moonlight! Her hand was pressed up
on her heart, and her white bosom heaved
beneath it. Round her head broidered
scarf was loosely thrown, partially shadow.
ing the perfect face, and thus rendering it
even more lovely; for beauty, dependencies
it is to u certain extent upon tile 1n1agIna-
ton, is never so beautiful as when 1t is
half hid. There she stood, radiant but
half doubling. stately and yet so sweet 1t
was but a moment, but / then and there
fell in love with her myself, and have re-
manned SO to this hour; for, indeed, she
looked more like en- angel out of heaven
than loving, passionate, mortal woman.
Low we bowed before her, and then she
spoke.
81 have come" she whispered, "but it
was at great risk. Ye know not how [ am
watched. The priests watch me. Sorais
watches me with those great eyes of hers
My very guards are spies upon me. Nasta
watches me, too. On, let him be careful!'
and she stamped her foot LET him be
careful; am woman, and therefore hard
to drive. Ay, and / am a Queen, too, and
can still avenge. Let him be careful, /
say, lest in place of giving him my hand I
take his head" and she ended the out
burst with little sob, and then smiled up
at US bewitchingly and laughed.
"Thou didSt bid me come hither, my
Lord Incubu'A Curtis had taught her to
call him so). Doubtless it is about bust
ness of the State, for know that thou art
ever full of great ideas and plans for my
welfare and my peoples. So even as a
Queen should have come, though great
ly fear the dark Alone" and again she
laughed and gave him a glance from her
gray eyes.
At this point thought it wise to move
a little, since secrets ''of the State" should
not be made public property; but she would
not let me go far, peremptorily stopping
me within five yards or so, saying that she
feared surprise So it came to pass that
however unwillingly, l heard all that
passed
Thou knowest, Nyleptha," said Sir
Henry chat it was for none of these
things that / asked thee to meet me at this
lonely place. Nyleptha, waste not the
time in pleasantly but listen to me, for
l love thee.'
As he said the words saw her face break
up, as it were, and change. The coquetry
went out of it, and in its place there shone
a great light of love which seemed to glor-
lily IL. anu HIKE IL Ike lIldG OIL GUo UldI UIt
angel overhead. I could not help thinking
that it must have been touch of prophet
ic instinct which made the long dead Rade-
mas linn in the features of the angel of
his inspiring vision, so strange likeness
of his own descendant Sir Henry. also,
must have observed and been struck by
the likeness, for, catching the look upon
Nyleptha's face, he glanced quickly from
1t to the moonlit statue, and then back
again at his beloved.
Thou sayest thou dost love me-" she
said in low voice, land thy voice rings
true; but how am / to know that thou dost
speak the truth?
Though" she went on with proud hui
militys-a and in the stately third person
which is so -ergely used by the Zu-Vendi,
81 be as nothing in the eyes of my lord,'
and she courtseied towards him, ''who
comes from wonderful people, to whom
my people are but children, yet here am
a queen and a leader of men, and if
would go to battle hundred thousand
spears shall sparkle in my train like stars
glimmering down the path of the bent
moon. And although my beauty be a lit
tIa thing in the ewes of my lord ,, and she